Athletes from across the county battled it out for medals at the last Sussex Cross Country League fixture.
Some had already secured individual places in earlier races whilst others needed to work hard competing in the sunny conditions at Bexhill on February 12.
All league team places were also decided by the results of the day.
The first races of the day were the Under 11s where young talent, Katherine Haslip (Brighton Phoenix) eased her way to victory for the third time this season whilst Joshua Webster (Eastbourne Rovers) won the boys’ race. Taylor Thom Watts (Brighton & Hove AC) was second at Bexhill but won the overall title with 4 points.
In winning the first 3 contests across the season, the Under 13 girls’ Gold medal already belonged to Brighton & Hove AC’s Julieana Walsh, who was poorly for the Bexhill race. In her absence Bibi Webb (Crawley) achieved the fixture win which gave her enough points for the overall Bronze. Freda Pearce (Eastbourne Rovers) has to be voted one of the most consistent athletes across the season placing 2nd in every contest, so of course it was a well-deserved Silver for her. Equally impressive was the scores of her teammates at Bexhill (4th and 6th) and as a result of scoring a combined 12 points, the Eastbourne/Bodyworks team won overall joint Gold along with Crawley AC. Brighton & Hove AC were 3rd.
There was everything to play (run) for in the U13 boys. Going into the final fixture, 3 Brighton & Hove AC boys were in with a chance of Gold - George Gilbert, Saul Bennett and Raphael Kelly. It was Raphael who was victorious both on the day and overall, but a mention to County Champion Eastbourne Rovers’ Fin Lumber Fry, who gave Raphael a run for his money and was second on the day (4th overall). George couldn’t compete at Bexhill due to Covid but had already done enough for the Silver and Saul was 3rd at Bexhill and 3rd overall. Scoring just 33 overall, Brighton & Hove were team winners, Eastbourne 2nd (72 points) and Brighton & Hove B 3rd (173 points).
Grace Tuesday made it 4 out of 4 wins to scoop the top accolade in the Under 15 Girls. The Lewes AC youngster has had an astounding season. Three athletes received silver by scoring 11 points across the league fixtures – Dulcie Yelling (Brighton & Hove AC), Esme Stephenson (Lewes AC) and Ava James (Lewes AC). In the light of these impressive Lewes AC individual results, it was hardly surprising that Lewes AC were the clear Under 15 girls’ team winners with Brighton & Hove AC 2nd and Crawley AC 3rd.
Matching Grace’s season league success with 4 out of 4 wins and overall Gold was Brighton Phoenix’s, Owen Wallek, in the Under 15 boys. Jude Clayton (Brighton & Hove) was not able to compete at Bexhill, but in scoring 6 points from the previous 3 fixtures he was presented with Silver, and team-mate Finlay Goodman Bronze overall (2nd at Bexhill). Brighton & Hove AC took the team Gold, Brighton Phoenix Silver and Crawley Bronze.
In the Under 17 men’s competition, Miles Waterworth (Brighton Phoenix) was the Gold medallist after winning the first 3 races - he was competing elsewhere for the final race. Luke Newton, who was 2nd at Bexhill, scored 7 points across his best 3 races for the Silver, whilst Charlie Wright’s super win at Bexhill was enough for the Lewes AC youngster to move into Bronze. In the team contest Lewes AC were winners, Crawley AC 2nd and Brighton Phoenix 3rd.
The Under 17 women run in the same race as the Under 20, Senior and Vet women. They score both as Under 17s as well as seniors.
Yasmin Kashdan (Crawley AC) started the race at Bexhill having competed in 2 out of the previous 3 fixtures. At these, she had comfortably been the first past the finish line in all age categories. She was given a run for her money at Bexhill by senior Hastings’ athlete, Eileen Beach, but with sheer determination managed to come in first also taking the U17 title. Isobel Guirdham (Lewes AC) was presented with Silver and Amelia Cox (Crawley AC) Bronze. Isobel and Amelia both scored 6 points but the medal positions were decided by Isobel having placed 1st at one of the previous fixtures.
In the Senior Women’s league, Lydia Growns (Brighton & Hove AC) was 1st, Jenna French (HY Runners) 2nd and Juliette Reader (Tuff Fitty) 3rd.
Hailsham’s Rachel Hillman scored the best 3 point combination for the V35 Gold, whilst Ellen Brooks (Lewes) was 2nd and Julie Kamel (Haywards Heath Harriers) 3rd.
Another 3 point winner was Dani Tarleton (Arena 80) in the V45’s whilst Eastbourne team-mates Sue Fry and Jenny Brown battling it out for Silver – both on 7 points but the position being decided by a win at Goodwood for Sue.
Liz Lumber (Eastbourne Rovers) was overall V55 women’s winner and Horsham Blue Star Elspeth Turner 2nd and Niki Treacy (Tuff Fitty) 3rd. Chichester’s Sue Baker was 1st V65 and Paul Rich (Run Academy Worthing) taking V75 Gold.
Overall Brighton & Hove AC were the Senior Women’s team winners whilst Eastbourne Rovers won the Veteran Women’s.
William Cork (Brighton & Hove AC) competed in all 4 fixtures across the league. William Cork won all 4 fixtures across the league. The Senior Men’s silver went to Aiden Briffet (Lewes) and Bronze James Turner (Brighton & Hove AC).
Brighton & Hove’s Craig Halsey scored the minimum 3 points for Gold in the V40s with team-mate Howard Bristow in 2nd and Chris Gilbert (Lewes AC) 3rd.
Steve McNeally (A80) was 1st V 50, Nigel Heron (Brighton Phoenix) 2nd and Paul Cousins (Haywards Heath Harriers) 3rd.
In the V60 and V70 categories Dave Dunstall and Terry Avey (Brighton Phoenix) took the titles.
With the team results Brighton & Hove AC took Golds in both the Senior Men’s (Division 1) and Veteran Men’s categories. HY Runners won the Senior Men Division 2 league.
Bexhill marked the end of a very successful, and well supported 2021/22 cross country league season. Kicking off back in October at Goodwood, followed by record breaking entries at Stanmer in November then a new course fixture at Ardingly in December.
For the athletes it has taken lots of hard hours of training. For the officials and volunteers, it has taken lots of hard hours of work. It has all been totally worth it.
Thank you to everyone who made the season possible. Here’s to next year……
For full results go to https://www.sussexathletics.net/2022-2/